Here we are, on the verge of trying the hardest mechanical task I can do as of yet (after welding bumpers and dropping transmissions): ARB locker, quick-lock, and 4.88 gears.

I was price shopping around, and I found that most companies would charge about $3,000.00 for the whole thing, and I do not like that. I would rather spend 1,500-2,000 and do the work myself, so my question for y'all is this:

I have access to a very good shop with many specialty tools. What is the list of tools that is necessary for performing a gear swap?

I am tempted to keep it simple and not change the gears (currently 4.56) and instead drop in the Lock-Rights into the diff case. The 4.56 is geared for 31" tires, and my new tire size will be 33" tall tires. Should I leave the gears alone and drop in the Lock-Rights only?

 

You can probably get by with leaving the 4.56's in there,, especially if it's a manual tranny. It will have a lower 1st gear than an automatic.

I run 31's with an auto tranny and it gets around just fine. Any taller, tho, and you'd prolly want lower gears (higher numerically),, like 5.29's.

Mike in AR

 

I just did this - ARB's and 4.56->4.88

Why are you only doing one ARB? So many package deals for both lockers and the compressor, I can't imagine you saved much $ by going with the quick lock...anyways, I digress....LOL

4.88 is the right gear ratio for 33's with manual tranny (auto, I would consider 5.71 actually - the overdrive is so damn tall that you can get away with SUPER low gears). DEFINITELY do it while you're in there. You can get the gears set up for ~$200/axle if you drop the third members and take them into the shop.

The big problem I ran into was my master install kit came with the wrong size carrier bearing. The V6 rear has two different ones - my '93 had the larger 50mm one, and the master install kit came with the smaller one. The ARB manual has the Timken part number for the larger one, would be a good idea to have one of each on hand before the truck is taken apart.

 

If you do Lockrights, you really don't need special tools. At the time I did mine, I didn't even know what some of the tools were that I was told I needed to use. If you are somewhat mechanical, and you mark everything before you take it out, you'll be able to drop in Lockrights in an afternoon.